First of all, Red was created and performed in the 1960s under the direct care of Premier Zhou Enlai; it was the first attempt to reform the Chinese ballet according to Premier Zhou's instruction to "revolutionize, nationalize, and massify".
About the creation of "Clean Water of Wanquan River", Jiang Qing had to be mentioned. At that time, Jiang Qing attached great importance to grasp the "Red Detachment of Women" this play, during the rehearsal period many times to personally inspect. About July 1964, Jiang went to review the program, she prepared in advance, wrote a few sheets of paper. She mentioned one by one what to change.
For example, the first scene was originally about Qionghua and Honglian, two difficult friends who came together to find the Red Maiden in a difficult situation. Jiang Qing changed this scene, and she understood that all theater begins with an introduction of the characters. I've studied literature and know that the main characters must appear in the first scene of any play.
She suggested that Hong Changqing should scout the area and prepare to liberate Coconut Grove Village. At that time, Qionghua was chased by Nanbaotian and beaten inside the Coconut Grove, and Nanbaotian thought that Qionghua would surely be dead, so he left. Hong Changqing then guided her to join the Red Detachment of Women. Jiang Qing said the change signified that the Party was guiding the working people on the road to revolution.
Later, "Red Detachment of Women" was rehearsed and officially put on the stage, and she made changes in every scene.
The Red Detachment of Women was changed dozens of times from the time it was written to the time it was put on the screen in 1970. Jiang Qing, Premier Zhou made a lot of comments, every review Jiang Qing will watch, and every time to see the Premier Zhou. Because Zhou is also very concerned about literature and art, also understand literature and art, but at that time mainly Jiang Qing grasp this.